Special Needs Planning
Answers to common questions about special needs trusts and protecting a loved one’s government benefits.
What is the purpose of a Special Needs Trust?
The primary purpose of a Special Needs Trust is to use your trust assets to pay for items that are not provided by Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, or other similar government-sponsored programs.
If you only had a will and left your special needs beneficiary an inheritance above the limit required to maintain government benefits, that beneficiary would be disqualified from receiving those benefits. A Special Needs Trust allows your beneficiary to continue receiving government benefits while supplementing those benefits with the assets you leave for them.
What benefits can a Special Needs Trust provide if the beneficiary is receiving government benefits?
A Special Needs Trust can supplement government benefits by covering additional expenses, including but not limited to:
- Non-food groceries and sundries
- Attendance at religious services
- Educational needs and supplies
- Medical services not covered by government benefits
- Transportation, including the purchase of a vehicle
- Prepaid funeral and burial arrangements
- Tickets to cultural or sporting events
- Membership in recreational clubs or cultural institutions
- Apparel, including maintenance and repair
- Pet and service animal expenses, including supplies and veterinary services
- Academic or recreational courses and classes
- Therapies not covered by benefits programs
- Domestic and personal care services
Still have questions?
Our attorneys are happy to talk through your situation during a free consultation.